HE is on a mission to assist our pets . . . and is right here to reply your questions.
Sean, who’s the top vet at tailor-made pet meals agency tails.com, has helped with house owners’ queries for ten years. He says: “In case your pet is appearing humorous or is below the climate, otherwise you need to find out about vitamin or train, simply ask. I may also help preserve pets comfortable and wholesome.”
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Q) I HAVE taken on my grandad’s 50-year-old tortoise, Eric.
I’m beginning to suppose forward to hibernation. What’s one of the simplest ways to maintain him over winter?
Brian Luck, Middlesbrough
Sean says: Overwintering tortoises is a way more difficult matter than custom would have you ever imagine, particularly now local weather change is interfering with pure seasons and life cycles.
Proper now, vegetation and animals are confused into considering it’s really spring, not early winter.
The chance of hibernating tortoises within the UK, the place they don’t seem to be native to, is that they’ll run out of power reserves in delicate winters and emerge weak or unwell in spring.
I’m assuming Eric is without doubt one of the Mediterranean species, like a Greek or Hermann’s tortoise maybe.
In that case, I like to recommend overwintering these indoors below a warmth lamp and UVB mild to imitate pure situations slowing down.
In case you select to hibernate him, then inserting him in a chilly outbuilding in a rodent-proof, ventilated crate filled with straw for a month or two is ok, so long as you wake him with supplemental warmth and lighting afterwards.
The times of leaving tortoises to the British climate to take their probabilities hibernating open air are, I’m afraid, simply too dangerous
Q) OUR canine, Milly, is a 13-year-old border-Yorkshire terrier cross who always licks her ft, which we all know generally is a signal of stress.
She is at all times on the vets as she has issues with anal glands, ear infections and warts, that are all below management in the intervening time as she takes Apoquel — half a pill as soon as a day.
We all know any medication can have negative effects. We’d do no matter it takes to get to the foundation of Milly’s drawback but it surely appears we’re getting nowhere.
Neil Davies, Wrexham
Sean says: There are a number of pink flags right here for allergic reactions. Itchy ft, ear infections and anal gland issues can all be signs.
There are two broad approaches to this advanced concern. First, firefighting and preserving signs below management with anti
inflammatory, anti-itch medicine equivalent to Apoquel. The opposite is to attempt to get to the underlying trigger, which may be expensive and take quite a lot of time, and frustratingly, doesn’t at all times alter the therapy plan.
I’d ebook a while for a superb chat together with your vet to set out all of the avenues you’ll be able to go down.
A strict weight-reduction plan trial or “elimination weight-reduction plan” and a blood check for environmental allergic reactions could also be a superb funding at this stage. Blood exams for meals allergic reactions usually are not normally correct.
Q) MY cat, Tink, got here house with a extremely nasty chew to his leg.
We’ve spent a fortune on vet payments because it was in such a state. One thing clearly obtained maintain of him.
Is there something I can do to maintain him secure in future? He loves his night-time prowls. I hope lightning gained’t strike twice however I do fear about him.
Michael Hambleton, Warrington, Cheshire
Sean says: The one factor you are able to do to stop this occurring once more is to maintain him in, no less than at night time time when the neighbourhood’s territorial cats are usually on the prowl and most fights occur.
There’s a rising variety of cat house owners who’re preserving cats indoors, not just for their very own security from cats, different animals, site visitors and illness, but in addition to cut back the impression of our pet cats have on wildlife and native ecosystems.
With a little bit of creativeness and energy, you’ll be able to present a really stimulating atmosphere for Tink indoors with entry to a catio or enclosure within the backyard, and even investing in fencing for the backyard that retains him in his secure house. Value contemplating.
Star of the week
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BEAN the guinea pig has an alter ego – he thinks he’s Kylie Minogue.
The one-year-old pet loves “spinning round” when meals is introduced to him.
On different events, he acts like a canine and begs for treats.
Proprietor Lucy Okolo, 14, of Thornton Heath, South London, mentioned: “Bean is like Kylie as he loves spinning round.
“He doesn’t like dandelions (and guinea pigs are supposed to love them), he refuses to eat fruit until it’s reduce up for him and he does twirls at any time when he’s about to be fed one thing he likes.
Runaway Lola makes cunning new pal
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A RUNAWAY canine struck up a rare friendship with a wild fox in a real-life model of Disney film The Fox And The Hound.
Lola, a one-year-old Beagle, was noticed taking part in with the fox.
Michelle Newns-Friends, of Larger Manchester Misplaced Canine Search and Rescue Seize Crew mentioned: “The fox was Lola’s guardian angel.
It watched over her as she slept.” Lola had been rescued for simply three weeks by Laura Nekookie, 39, and her daughter, six, when she ran off final month, spooked by a noise.
Michelle added: “We had a number of reviews of her with a fox.
“Then somebody messaged to say she was caught on CCTV resting in a backyard with the fox watching over her, earlier than they set off once more.
“For a fox and a Beagle to forge a friendship, was so heartwarming.
“After we lastly caught Lola utilizing a humane lure it was bittersweet.
“Whereas it was important for her security, and he or she was getting skinny, it was additionally the top of that lovely, extraordinary and distinctive friendship.
“However Lola is now secure and comfortable at house with Laura and her household – and he or she’s made a full restoration.”
“He’s a complete diva.”
WIN: Seven excellent presents
STUCK for what to purchase your cat this Christmas? The Solar on Sunday has teamed up with PetSafe Model to offer one fortunate reader the prospect to win seven “pawfect” presents, price £250.
They’re certain to swimsuit even essentially the most discerning feline. To enter, ship an e-mail headed PETSAFE containing your identify, handle and make contact with quantity to sundaypets@ the-sun.co.uk by December 11.
See: petsafe.com/UK T&Cs apply.
